When you put in the dedication required to build up your body, you want to be sure you are doing everything right.

A healthy diet, plenty of rest between workouts and supplements such as nitric oxide can help you reach your objectives.

What is nitric oxide?

Nitric oxide is made from an amino acid called L-arginine. You often see it abbreviated by its chemical name, NO. Prescription drugs for a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular problems and impotence, use nitric oxide as their active ingredient.

Since nitric oxide is a gas, supplements that list nitric oxide as an ingredient actually contain L-arginine, an amino acid which produces nitric oxide. There are other substances which increase or sustain nitric oxide production in your body, such as cacao and ginseng.

Many bodily functions are assisted by nitric oxide. It helps your immune system to protect you from diseases. Nitric oxide also works as an anti-inflammatory agent, which is useful in controlling ailments such as arthritis.

Nitric oxide has also been shown to alleviate blood pressure issues due to its ability to dilate blood vessels. For example, people prone to heart attacks are helped by nitroglycerin, which works by distributing nitric oxide throughout their body to loosen vessels that are constricted. This gets lifesaving blood and oxygen to the heart and muscles.

How does nitric oxide help with bodybuilding?

The art of successful body building is comprised of several components. Eating correctly, putting just the right amount of strain on your muscles during weight lifting workouts, and giving your muscles time to heal are all important parts of the process. Nitric oxide can help at every step.

Some people mistakenly believe that muscles are built while you exercise. However, it is during your downtime that muscles actually grow. When you stop and allow your muscles to fix themselves after being worked to their highest capacity, they get larger and give you that look of lean, bulging muscle.

If you work for your muscles, your muscles will work for you. They need the proper amount of nutrients, hydration and blood flow.

Increased blood flow to your muscles can help you achieve longer workout sessions and nitric oxide does this by expanding the blood vessels. It also aids in keeping your blood from clustering together, which acts almost like a blood thinner.

You raise the amount of nitric oxide in your system by exercising. Think of it as a continuous circle. The more you work out, the more oxygen is needed by your body so your heart beats faster. This causes your blood vessels to expand and that creates more nitric oxide for the blood which increases blood flow.

For bodybuilders, lifting weights can make your body to produce more lactic acid, which causes you to feel sluggish and tired. Nitric oxide helps to get rid of lactic acid so you have more energy for working out. Because nitric oxide aids your body in healing itself, that ever important recuperation period after exercising takes less time.

Can you get nitric oxide from foods?

You can increase nitric oxide in your body through diet. Eating foods rich in arginine such as fruit, milk products, and nuts will help your body produce more nitric oxide. In addition, you can keep more nitric oxide in your body after it is produced by increasing your intake of foods like garlic and soy items.